Help needed with recording software ( like audacity, etc.

I'm hoping somebody might be able to help me. I digitally recorded some interviews for a class project. Unfortunately I did this in a public area, so there's lots of background noise, and some of the comments are hard to hear. I noticed in audacity that you can see the sound levels of the background noise. Is there a way to strip the background noise or minimize it out for the recording either using audacity or some other freeware program? Thank you in advance for your help. I enjoy coming to GOTD every day to see the offerings, and make most of my decisions on whether or not to download something based on many of the regular commentators and the other people that seem more knowledgeable than I am.

Hi todd
Here’s a little trick that worked for me.
I had a similar situation and was able to fade some background noise. What ever player you use to hear your recorded file, if it has an equalizer most free basic players give you 3 or 5 bands (10 or more bands best to use,) you could cut down some of the background sound by manipulating their frequencies and try to muffle the background. Every sound recorded has a frequency, just finding the right blend will help a little.
When you think you mixed it about as good as it could get with your player play it and record it a 2nd time using an editor like Audacity. It will record anything you play through your sound card and it has a filter or 2 that can further eliminate some more noise.

Instead of Audacity, you could also use a program I like to use called Reaper.

Where as Audacity is good for editing 2 channel single track, Reaper is more of a professional studio multi track mixing board and offers a lot more filters and effects. Even comes with a midi.

You could download a free full, uncrippled, unexpiring evaluation version of Reaper.
After 30 days you don’t buy it, you will get a nag about buying it each time you open the program, but it will still fully work.
They have a good forum there to get help in using this program and maybe able to help you more then I could. http://forum.cockos.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

$60 if you are using Reaper only for personal use. You are an individual or business, using REAPER for commercial use, and the yearly gross revenue does not exceed USD $20,000. You are an educational or non-profit organization.
$225 for a commercial license.